While there is no doubt that dogs, cats, and horses proved instrumental in the development of ancient civilizations, non-human help and support sometimes came from other, more surprising sources.

Theme: Ancient animal friends

• Iain Ferris, 'What brings us together, what sets us apart - Animals in the ancient world'.
• Sean Mowbray, 'A brief history of the ancient cat - Fluffy, grumpy companions'.
• John C. Darnell and Colleen Darnell, 'Hunters, guards, and pets - Tjezem: Egypt's barkless hound'.
• Sean E. McGrath, 'Man's unlikely best friend - The dolphin'.
• Murray Dahm, 'Foiled by a gaggle of feathered friends - Silence of the dogs'.
• Lindsay Powell, 'The steeds of gods and heroes - A horse that delights'.
• Jo Ball, 'Canine tombstones and epitaphs from the Roman world - Dearly departed friends'.

Features:

• Jona Lendering, 'The dark side of papyrology - Fakes, vandalism, and violence'.
• Murray Dahm, 'Celebrating military victory - To the victor goes the spoils'.
• Gareth Williams, 'Surviving the Athenian courts and assembly - Rough and tumble'.
• Manon Henzen, 'Going vegetarian in antiquity - To eat or not to eat'.
• Hugo Cook, 'Linking science and religion in ancient Egypt - Astronomy and the afterlife'.
• Scott Forbes Crawford, 'The diverse duties of Chinese peace brides - Pawns, diplomats, spies'.